Barricade

ABSTRACT

A collapsible barricade suitable for use in street traffic control. The barricade comprises a support and a plate or sign. The support includes pairs of divergently pivoted legs having jaws for gripping the sign. The sign is a rectangularly shaped uniplanar element having configurated slots spaced along its edge and is adapted for interlocking engagement with the jaws to form a substantially rigid and stable structure. Toggle links provided on each of the pairs of legs have a latching mechanism by which the legs may be retained in an expanded position to prevent removal of the sign from the jaws.

limited States Patent 1 momma [72] Inventor Robert D. Elmer 7 Toledo, Ohio [2]] Appl. No. 14,515 [22] Filed Feb. 26, 11970 [45] Patented Dec. 14, 197R [73] Assignee The Toledo Pressed Steel Company Toledo, Ohio [54] BARRICADE 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 256/64, 7 182/ l 86 [51] llntJCl E04h 117/114 [50] Field of Search 256/64, 1; 182/186, 226; 116/63 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 829,548 8/1906 Smith 256/64 2,249,685 7/1941 Dearing 256/64 2,793,003 5/1957 Borchers 182/186 X 2,889,177 6/1959 Rambow 182/186 3,040,834 6/1962 Dakin l82/l 86 Primary Examiner-- Dennis L. Taylor Attorney-Owen & Owen ABSTRACT: A collapsible barricade suitable for use in street traffic control. The barricade comprises a support and a plate or sign. The support includes pairs of divergently pivoted legs having jaws for gripping the sign. The sign is a rectangularly shaped uniplanar element having configurated slots spaced along its edge and is adapted for interlocking engagement with the jaws to form a substantially rigid and stable structure. Toggle links provided on each of the pairs of legs have a latching mechanism by which the legs may be retained in an expanded position to prevent removal of the sign from the jaws.

Pmmmnmmn 36271273 SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTY m: w H U BER T D. BJHNER,

PATENTED IJECI 4:971

SHEET 2 UF 3 mvEN'n m: L RUB-512T UBIRNER.

BY y w ATTYS.

HARRICAMIE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Barriers of a type used for traffic control have often included pedestals, tripods, welded or otherwise fabricated threeor four-legged structural units or supports arranged to carry warning flags, elevated planks, bars, chains, etc. Such devices are often cumbersome, relatively expensive and ineffective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to transportable traflic barricades of a knockdown type. An object of the invention is to provide a collapsible and readily attachable support and cooperating unit which is suitable for use as, for example, a barricade.

Another object is to provide a support having legs adapted for a collapsed or an extended relationship with respect to a common pivot. Oppositely directed jaws arranged at cooperating ends of the legs are adapted to grip a plate or sign.

Another object is to provide toggle links cooperating with the legs to facilitate movement thereof to a divergent or extended position to lend stability to the structure.

Another object is to provide a latching mechanism adapted to retain the toggle links in an extended position.

Another object is to provide a plate or sign having uniquely shaped slots at spaced intervals along its edges in cooperative relation with engageable projections or prongs suitably arranged on the legs which when activated by movement of the toggles will hold the sign firmly in a gripped position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sign having slots arranged in a predetermined opposed angular relation whereby the jaws and legs for supporting the plate or sign will be projected outwardly in biangular directions corresponding to that of the slots.

The barricade structure according to the present invention includes a plate or sign and support means for supporting the sign. The support means includes two spaced pairs of legs positioned adjacent the ends of the sign. The sign defines configured slots at its ends and each of the pairs of legs includes cooperating projections on the upper ends of the legs which are received by one of the configured slots in the sign. Each of the pairs of legs also includes gripping jaws adjacent its upper ends. Pivot means are associated with each pair of legs whereby the cooperating jaws and projections may be moved toward and away from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a perspective view of a barricade structure, according to my invention, including a horizontally positioned barricade sign element and associated leg supports;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the sign element of FIG. I, showing an arrangement of slots which may be used in conjunction with the leg supports;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 11, and shown on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 1, with parts broken away;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing the jaws in a closed or operating position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 5 and showing the jaws in a partially collapsed or inoperative position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded view of a pair of legs together with a portion of the plate or sign;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-5 of FIG. 7 and showing in particular the toggle and latching mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a barricade structure according to the invention showing the legs of the structure in gripping position when the sign element is supported vertically.

2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. ll, 2 and 3, there is shown a thin plate or sign element 20 being carried by support means which comprise pairs of support members 211, the ends of which are engaged in configured slots 22 in the sign element 20. Toggle as-.

semblies 23 are provided to assist in maintaining the pairs of support members 2i in sign-carrying position. The members 211 are formed with legs 24 and 25 which have a pivoted connection with each other around a rivet 26. In the present embodiment, the legs 24 and 25 are formed of measured lengths of commercial angle iron, two of the flanges of which are turned toward each other to permit hinging action about the rivet 26. The remaining two flanges provide gripping jaws or lips 27 which bear snugly against the opposite faces of the sign element 20, when in an extended position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. I. To release the sign element 20 from the legs 24 and 25, they are moved to a partially collapsed position as shown in dashed lines 24' and 25 (see FIG. l).

The slots 22 in the sign element 20 (FIGS. 4-7) are provided with a T-shaped configuration including an entrance throat 28, opposed rectangular niches 29, 3t) and a rectangular recess 31 which is opposite the throat 23. The rectangular recess 311 receives the pivot rivet 26.. (See FIG. 3). Opposed niches 29 and 30 in the sign element 20' provides passage space for a cooperating projection 32 and prong 33 formed at the upper end of one leg 24, and a similar prong 34 formed at the upper end of the other leg 25. Recessed openings 35 and 36 are formed adjacent to the prongs 33 and 34 in the legs 24 and 25 respectively. When in the operative position (FIG. 5) the openings 35 and 36 are aligned and mate with the lower niche 30. The prongs 33 and 34 are adapted to engage and overlie the lower niche 39 formed in the sign element 20 (FIG. 7). In a similar manner the projection 32 is received by the upper niche 29 (FIG. 5). The upper end of the flange of the leg 25 which extends at right angles to the gripping jaw 27 and the sign element 20 defines a portion or projection 37 (see FIGS. 5-7) which cooperates with and has a shape complementary with the upper rectangular niche 29. In the operative position (FIG. 5) when the projection. 37 is positioned within the upper niche 29, relative rotation is prevented between the sign element 20 and the legs 24 and 25.

The toggle-and-latch assembly 23 (FIGS. 7 and 3) includes a swinging link 49, one end of which is pivoted by a rivet 411 on the leg 24 of the support 23. The opposite or distal end 42 of the link 40 is formed with an offset portion 43 and a projecting ear 44 lying in substantially parallel relation with the body of the link 40. The offset portion 43 is formed with a notch 45, and the ear 44 is formed with an opening 46 into which a rivet 47 may be affixed. A reach link 45 is provided with an opening 49 near one end thereof for pivotal engagement with the rivet 47 and is also formed with an extension portion 59. The extension portion 50 is provided with a latching configuration SI adapted to overlie the notch 45 of the link 49. The links 40 and a t are provided with openings 52 and 53 respectively which are in mutual alignment, when the links are extended as shown in full lines in FIG. 7. In this position the links may be held against relative movement by insertion of the bail of a padlock 54, or other device, through the openings 52 and 53.

The link 45 is provided at its opposite end with a tongue portion 55 adapted to engage an opening 56 formed in the leg 25 of the support 23. It is also provided with a shoulder portion 57 adapted to abut the inner surface of the leg 25 to hold the legs 24 and 25 in a divergent and sign-gripping position (FIG. 1) when the toggle links 40 and 48 are fully extended.

When the toggle 23 is moved to a collapsed position 23 (FIG. ll), pressure on the jaws 27 is released and the legs 24 and 25 may be moved to a less divergent position 24' and 25' (FIGS. 5 and 6). The gripping pressure on the sign element 20 is thus released and it may now be removed by freeing the prongs 33 and 34 from the lower niche 3ft of the slot 22.

The sign element 20 is preferably provided with openings 58 and 59 by which a chain 60 and a hook-shaped connector 61 may be affixed to facilitate attachment to a second barricade (not shown).

In some instances it may be necessary to block off a narrow passage or walkway where a more confined traffic is being controlled. For this condition the sign element 20 is provided with angular slots 62 (FIGS. 2 and 9) so that the sign may be carried in a substantially vertical position 20 (see FIG. 9).

The slots 62 in the sign element 20 are set at an angle A of approximately 10 with respect to a central longitudinal axis 0-0 of the sign. When in the aforesaid vertical position the supports 21 extend divergently outwardly along a horizontal axis X-X (FIG. 9) at an included angle of 20 more or less. The diverging angle of the supports 21 combined with its bipod arrangement, forms a relatively broad base for an otherwise topheavy sign but still reduces the area occupied by the barrier to the condition shown in the drawing where the base line distance X is approximately equal to that of the distance Y. In this way a single stable barricade is provided, adaptable for a twofold positioning.

The openings 58 and adjacent elongated openings 59 are also used to mount warning lights or flashers (not shown). It has been found that mounting a flasher (not shown) in the adjacent openings 58a and 59a of the FIG. 9 barricade embodiment provides an excellent warning structure.

The sign element 20, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is generally rectangular however it may be constructed in various other shapes, for examples, circular, hexagonal or octagonal shapes. The sign element 20 may have stripes applied to its surface or in the alternative may have other indicia applied thereon. The words STOP, SLOW," DANGER," etc. may be printed on a sign element 20 where the structure is to be used, for examples, at a vehicle safety checkpoint, at the scene of an accident or near a pothole in a roadway. It has been found that a barricade structure, according to the present invention is stable, relatively inexpensive, easily stored and easily installed.

What I claim is:

l. A barricade comprising, in combination, a sign element and pairs of support legs, said sign element consisting of a generally rectangular thin plate, said plate having opposed ends and a configured slot defined in each of such opposed ends, said configured slot including a throat passageway and upper and lower recesses communicating with such throat passageway and extending away from such throat passageway, each of said pairs of support legs comprising longitudinally extending angles having integral right-angle flanges, one of said angle flanges of each leg forming a gripping jaw adjacent the upper end of each leg, a cooperating portion of the other one of said flanges on at least one of said pairs of legs having a shape complementary with the shape of such upper recesses,

whereby relative rotation between said barrier plate and said legs is prevented when said cooperating portion is positioned within such upper recess, and pivot means spaced below said gripping surfaces for pivotally connecting said pair of support legs, wherein said gripping jaws are against opposed sides of said thin plate and wherein said cooperating portion is received and held in such complementary recess when said barricade is in an operative position.

2. A barricade according to'claim 1, including downwardly directed prongs defined by said legs below said pivot means, a recess opening defined by each of said other flanges adjacent said prong, such recess opening of one of said legs being aligned with such recess opening of the other leg when said ban'icade is in the operative position, whereby such aligned recess openings mate with such lower recess and said prongs abut the opposed sides of said plate.

3. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein each of said pairs of legs are provided with toggle means, said toggle means including latch means associated therewith adapted for releasably holding said jaws in a gripping position.

4. A barrier according to claim w erern said plate has a longitudinal central axis and has on opposed sides at least one configured slot lying at a predetermined angle with said axis, whereby said plate may be supported at an angular position relative to said legs.

5. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein said plate has at least one opening therethrough adapted to receive a connecting member, whereby said barrier may be connected to one or more other barriers.

6. A barricade comprising, in combination, a barrier plate having front and back surfaces and having at least one configured end slot extending therethrough adjacent each end, said configured slot including a throat passageway and upper and lower noncircular recesses, a pair of support legs positioned at each end of said plate, said support legs having a pair of opposed jaws at its upper ends adapted to engage said front and back surfaces of said plate, a projection on one of said legs extending in a plane perpendicular to said barrier plate, said projection being complementary with and received by said upper noncircular recess when said barricade is in an operative position, whereby relative rotation between said barrier plate and said legs is prevented when said projection is positioned within such upper recess, pivot means connecting said legs, and toggle means adapted to engage said legs when said jaws are in gripping engagement with said plate.

7. A barricade according to claim 6 wherein said barrier plate has at least one opening therein adapted to receive a portion of a connecting chain.

8. A barrier according to claim 6, wherein each of said pairs of support legs are provided with toggle means, said toggle means including latch means associated therewith adapted for releasably holding said jaws in a gripping position. 

1. A barricade comprising, in combination, a sign element and pairs of support legs, said sign element consisting of a generally rectangular thin plate, said plate having opposed ends and a configured slot defined in each of such opposed ends, said configured slot including a throat passageway and upper and lower recesses communicating with such throat passageway and extending away from such throat passageway, each of said pairs of support legs comprising longitudinally extending angles having integral right-angle flanges, one of said angle flanges of each leg forming a gripping jaw adjacent the upper end of each leg, a cooperating porTion of the other one of said flanges on at least one of said pairs of legs having a shape complementary with the shape of such upper recesses, whereby relative rotation between said barrier plate and said legs is prevented when said cooperating portion is positioned within such upper recess, and pivot means spaced below said gripping surfaces for pivotally connecting said pair of support legs, wherein said gripping jaws are against opposed sides of said thin plate and wherein said cooperating portion is received and held in such complementary recess when said barricade is in an operative position.
 2. A barricade according to claim 1, including downwardly directed prongs defined by said legs below said pivot means, a recess opening defined by each of said other flanges adjacent said prong, such recess opening of one of said legs being aligned with such recess opening of the other leg when said barricade is in the operative position, whereby such aligned recess openings mate with such lower recess and said prongs abut the opposed sides of said plate.
 3. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein each of said pairs of legs are provided with toggle means, said toggle means including latch means associated therewith adapted for releasably holding said jaws in a gripping position.
 4. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein said plate has a longitudinal central axis and has on opposed sides at least one configured slot lying at a predetermined angle with said axis, whereby said plate may be supported at an angular position relative to said legs.
 5. A barrier according to claim 1, wherein said plate has at least one opening therethrough adapted to receive a connecting member, whereby said barrier may be connected to one or more other barriers.
 6. A barricade comprising, in combination, a barrier plate having front and back surfaces and having at least one configured end slot extending therethrough adjacent each end, said configured slot including a throat passageway and upper and lower noncircular recesses, a pair of support legs positioned at each end of said plate, said support legs having a pair of opposed jaws at its upper ends adapted to engage said front and back surfaces of said plate, a projection on one of said legs extending in a plane perpendicular to said barrier plate, said projection being complementary with and received by said upper noncircular recess when said barricade is in an operative position, whereby relative rotation between said barrier plate and said legs is prevented when said projection is positioned within such upper recess, pivot means connecting said legs, and toggle means adapted to engage said legs when said jaws are in gripping engagement with said plate.
 7. A barricade according to claim 6 wherein said barrier plate has at least one opening therein adapted to receive a portion of a connecting chain.
 8. A barrier according to claim 6, wherein each of said pairs of support legs are provided with toggle means, said toggle means including latch means associated therewith adapted for releasably holding said jaws in a gripping position. 